• Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right during congressional testimony.
• Maxwell’s lawyer claims she would testify if granted clemency by Trump.
• House Oversight Committee members expressed disappointment over her refusal to answer questions.
• Maxwell was recently moved to a minimum-security facility amid ongoing investigations.
• Lawmakers are pursuing answers about Epstein's widespread abuse and potential co-conspirators.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during her closed-door deposition with the U.S. House Oversight Committee, as expected. This invocation allows her to avoid answering questions that could incriminate her, and has led to frustrations among lawmakers who were seeking answers about Epstein's operations and possible co-conspirators. "As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions," said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, expressing disappointment at the lack of cooperation, according to Le Monde and CBS News.

During the deposition, Maxwell's refusal to answer questions contrasted with her previous interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, whom she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment against. This has led to allegations of inconsistencies in her legal strategy, with lawmakers pointing out that she had previously answered questions without invoking her rights. Representative Ro Khanna highlighted this inconsistency and expressed frustration, stating that answers were sorely needed regarding potential co-conspirators involved in Epstein's sex trafficking operations, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, mentioned that she is willing to speak publicly if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump. He said, "If this Committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path," hinting at her potential willingness to testify in exchange for leniency. This plea for clemency underscores her strategic approach to the current legal situation, suggesting that she may be attempting to leverage her testimony for more favorable treatment, as noted by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking scheme, which has drawn widespread attention to the connections between Epstein and powerful political figures, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. While both Trump and Clinton have denied any wrongdoing, their connections have prompted calls from lawmakers for transparency regarding their interactions with Epstein, as reported by ABC News and India Times.

The deposition session follows a significant release of documents by the Justice Department related to Epstein's case, aligning with Congress's efforts to investigate how Epstein managed to exploit underage girls for years. Lawmakers remain keen on uncovering any additional co-conspirators or facilitators in Epstein's network, reinforcing the ongoing nature of the investigation, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.